Injury-prone New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram hit back Wednesday at suggestions by former teammate Craig McMillan that he seems too ready to pull out of games with injuries.

Former Test player McMillan told New Zealand radio that Oram, who is out of the current Test series against the West Indies with a calf strain, had been wrapped in cotton wool by team management

"You've always got sore calves, (hamstrings) but you just get on and do it," said McMillan, who retired from Test cricket last year.

"Unfortunately, with Jake's track record... he has missed some games that maybe he could have got through."

Oram, who has now missed five straight Tests through injury, told reporters he did not expect to hear such comments from a former teammate.

"I understand people who have never bowled a ball in anger in their lives having a bit of a go at me for potentially being on the soft side, but it's disappointing to come from an ex-teammate," he said.

"He knows the rigours and the stresses of international cricket and it's a bit rich saying if it's 50-50, I don't play."

The 30-year-old said he had played matches with broken fingers in the past, but he could understand the frustration of fans at his frequent injury absences.

"If they're annoyed, I'm a hundred times worse."

New Zealand coach Andy Moles said Oram was expected to return to the side for the Twenty20 and one-day internationals against the West Indies following the second and final Test starting here Friday.